Miracles and fairytales

Patrick Bartley

EMOTIONAL scenes rarely seen on a racecourse broke out on Saturday, minutes after a little known apprentice and a nuggety tough filly combined to win Victoria's most important two-year-old race, the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes.

Diamond smile: Lauren Stojakovic shows her joy after winning the Blue Diamond on Miracles of Life. Photo: Getty Images

Lauren Stojakovic, a mature-age South Australian apprentice, combined with the unbeaten Miracles Of Life for one of the most remarkable group 1 victories in decades.

Together with trainer Daniel Clarken, the group managed to defy multiple opposition from some of the most powerful stables in Australia, and may have also raced themselves into Golden Slipper contention in the autumn.

However, Clarken and Stojakovic weren't pondering what will come later with Miracles Of Life, they would rather bathe in the emotional victory they showed the racing world.

''When I won the other day at Caulfield my family and friends were crying, but today I've got to say that I'm crying with them. She did everything perfectly, just as I knew she would,'' Stojakovic said.

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Stojakovic's family flew from Adelaide to watch her, and they were not let down, nor were any punters around Australia as the 29-year-old recorded one of the most brilliant rides in Blue Diamond history.

''There was a lot of media build-up, a lot of hype and I suppose a lot of pressure, but she answered just like we thought and you couldn't ask for a better ride, could you?'' Clarken said.

Many had felt that when up against some of Australia's most polished riders Stojakovic might be found wanting, but it was the opposite. After beginning well, Miracles Of Life was positioned three lengths back, but Stojakovic managed to exploit an opening just before the home turn and from then on the horse did the rest.

Saturday's victory was her fourth straight success and she is clearly the best two-year-old filly in Australia, and the question remains whether she will be at Rosehill to contest the country's most prestigious two-year-old event on April 6.

Even trainer Peter Snowden, who was understandably disappointed at the performances of his three two-year-olds in the Blue Diamond, was moved to say: ''That's the best racing result you will see. Good luck to them, it's fantastic for them. You won't see any better.''

Snowden explained that his two-year-old Guelph went down on its nose just moments after the gates opened, leaving the horse three lengths behind the field and all but thwarting its chance of success.

Snowden added that Metastasio didn't have the best of runs, having to be used up from a wide gate and their third competitor, Montsegur, wasn't well served in the run either.

Runner-up Fast 'n' Rocking, who was second last with 800 metres to go, will now be heading to the Sires Produce after his remarkable performance. Miracles Of Life started at $3.20 favourite and scored by 1½ lengths from Fast 'n' Rocking, a $26 hope, with Godiva Rock ($17) a half-head away third.